I always feel so bad when it occurs to me that I have failed to keep up with my poor blog.
My life tends to swirl around in fast motion, as I am sure yours does, making it hard to keep up. Just when you are about to catch up something else gets thrown in the mix. I know you all understand full well what I am talking about.
As I reflect upon the point we are at in our current session of Soul Steps I thought I would share a little. In the Soul Step journey women are encouraged to dig out their "junk." The stuff they have buried and shoved down. This takes a process of discovery. Once it is all dug up we process what needs done with these things that have caused us to live bogged down.
Depression, un-forgiveness, haunting memories of the past, resentment, regret, shame, fear, anxiety... the list goes on and on.
God does not intend for us to live held down by these things, He sent His son that we would live in freedom. Most of us fail to do just that. We think we have to earn the freedom, we forget to remember that the price has already been paid.
Galatians 5:1 says: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free, stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
It is for freedom that Christ set us free.....
Are you getting that?
We have been set free FOR FREEDOM!
I am pretty sure if you were offered something for free you would be quick to accept the offer. I mean think about it; if you were offered free groceries for a month, you would be showing up at the grocery store. The reason there are people lined up in the aisles of Costco is so they can receive a free sample. When a new business opens up people are quick to show up for the free samples and goodies that are offered on opening day. FREE is our favorite price, right?
Yet the greatest gift ever has been given to us for free and we just move on past it day after day after day, living in bondage.
God longs for us to be rid of all of the junk we carry around on our shoulders day after day after day. He longs for us to live in the freedom He offers.
I want to encourage you today to take inventory of what is keeping you from living in that freedom, those things that have been shoved down and are holding you back from living a fully effective life for Christ. He is waiting for you to accept His offer, the next move is yours.
XO
Showing posts with label spiritual warfare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spiritual warfare. Show all posts
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Depression and that deep pit....
With so much in the news the past two days about depression following the devastating news of Robin Williams suicide, I felt a tug to share a little.
You see... I have battled that green-eyed-monster called "Depression".
It is a battle that, unless you too have fought, you probably cannot fully comprehend.
I have been hearing conversations about "How could anyone ever feel so low and desperate", "How could someone take their life when they have kids/wife/etc."
First off, it doesn't make "sense".
Depression is a pit of despair that makes even less sense to the person who struggles with that nasty issue. When you free fall into that pit of despair you have no sense of reality in the way that truly "makes sense." Something comes over you and overtakes your senses to the point of desperation.
It is a chemical imbalance that can cause great destruction if left untreated.
I will never forget the words of author/speaker Sheila Walsh when speaking of the depression she struggled with for years. She said that if you had diabetes you would take your insulin, same holds true for someone who struggles with depression; if they are in need of medication to balance them out, they should take their meds.
My own mother was diagnosed with bi-polar disease. It took it's toll on her and those around her.... this illness can be so harmful when untreated.
I guess my point is this; I want those of you who have "NO IDEA" how anyone could possibly feel THAT low and desperate, to have an insight into the window of desperation. There really is not a lot anyone can do, except acknowledge and be there for someone if & when you notice them retreating and falling into that pit. Unfortunately it is not always obvious or apparent, so throwing a life-line is not always an option. Maybe your eyes can be opened a bit more than they ever were before, maybe you will take notice of those around you who seem a little down or blue.
Although it is never your responsibility to be sure someone is "ok", it IS your work (for God) to reach out to those around you in hopes that you can build up and encourage them, which is all the more reason to be in-tune to His voice.
In light of our beloved comedian as well as so many others I can think of right now (Rick and Kay Warren's son, Marie Osmand's son....) Let us love and encourage one another in the Lord, let us be kind and considerate, let us be mindful and thoughtful.
Life can be tough, but always....GOD IS GOOD!!!!!
If you are the one in the pit, reach out!!!
I am here for you!
Others are here for you!
Do not feel like you have no where to turn!
I know that feeling, but it is fleeting, truly it is..... and if you can just move past it, you WILL feel better..... I PROMISE!!!!!
Much love and blessings!!!!
XO Sherry
You see... I have battled that green-eyed-monster called "Depression".
It is a battle that, unless you too have fought, you probably cannot fully comprehend.
I have been hearing conversations about "How could anyone ever feel so low and desperate", "How could someone take their life when they have kids/wife/etc."
First off, it doesn't make "sense".
Depression is a pit of despair that makes even less sense to the person who struggles with that nasty issue. When you free fall into that pit of despair you have no sense of reality in the way that truly "makes sense." Something comes over you and overtakes your senses to the point of desperation.
It is a chemical imbalance that can cause great destruction if left untreated.
I will never forget the words of author/speaker Sheila Walsh when speaking of the depression she struggled with for years. She said that if you had diabetes you would take your insulin, same holds true for someone who struggles with depression; if they are in need of medication to balance them out, they should take their meds.
My own mother was diagnosed with bi-polar disease. It took it's toll on her and those around her.... this illness can be so harmful when untreated.
I guess my point is this; I want those of you who have "NO IDEA" how anyone could possibly feel THAT low and desperate, to have an insight into the window of desperation. There really is not a lot anyone can do, except acknowledge and be there for someone if & when you notice them retreating and falling into that pit. Unfortunately it is not always obvious or apparent, so throwing a life-line is not always an option. Maybe your eyes can be opened a bit more than they ever were before, maybe you will take notice of those around you who seem a little down or blue.
Although it is never your responsibility to be sure someone is "ok", it IS your work (for God) to reach out to those around you in hopes that you can build up and encourage them, which is all the more reason to be in-tune to His voice.
In light of our beloved comedian as well as so many others I can think of right now (Rick and Kay Warren's son, Marie Osmand's son....) Let us love and encourage one another in the Lord, let us be kind and considerate, let us be mindful and thoughtful.
Life can be tough, but always....GOD IS GOOD!!!!!
If you are the one in the pit, reach out!!!
I am here for you!
Others are here for you!
Do not feel like you have no where to turn!
I know that feeling, but it is fleeting, truly it is..... and if you can just move past it, you WILL feel better..... I PROMISE!!!!!
Much love and blessings!!!!
XO Sherry
Monday, July 28, 2014
He Is Our Strength....
I love how God brings the Word to us to reassure and comfort us just when we need it.
Yesterday morning I woke up with many thoughts and concerns floating around in my mind. I jumped into the shower and was astonished at how quickly I had gone from a deep sleep to all this concern and worry going on in my brain. I tried to reign it all in and pray about each situation...and as happens often with me, I was soon off to the land of what ifs and when/how...etc. I kept on having to retrieve my thoughts. All that in the time of a shower!
A bit later I sat down with my devotional and a hot cup of coffee and cracked open my devotional; "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young.
Let me just share what it had to say........
"I am your strength and shield. I plan each day and have it ready for you, long before you arise from bed. I also provide the strength you need each step of the way. Instead of assessing your energy level and wondering about whats on the road ahead, concentrate on staying in touch with Me. My Power flows freely into you through our open communication. Refuse to waste energy worrying, and you will have strength to spare.
Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am your Shield. But unlike inanimate armor, I am always alert and active. My Presence watches over you continually, protecting you from both known and unknown dangers. Entrust yourself to My watchcare, which is the best security system available. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go."
Isn't God so good to bring the perfect reassurance just when we need it!?
I am certain that I am not the only one needing a little reassurance today. A hopeful rest and trust that God has it ALL under control! It is so difficult to remember sometimes.
SO, the above is yet another draft I found in my pending file on my blog and it is as timely as ever. Again this morning I woke up with loved ones on my heart, namely my kiddos. This is obviously a trend of mine! The words to today's devotion were straight to the point and quite appropriate for this particular time of life. "This is a time in your life when you must learn to let go of loved ones, of possessions, of control. In order to let go of something that is precious to you, you need to rest in My Presence, where you are complete.
Apparently I am a slow learner!
Yet equally apparent God is not giving up on my lack of ability to catch on. Thankfully!
In case you too are feeling apprehension, worry, fret, anxiousness, here are some valuable verses to help ease your angst...
Psalm 28:7
Matthew 6:34
Psalm 56:3-4
Genesis 28:15
Psalm 89:15
Hebrew 13:8
Isaiah 41:13
I pray that as you go into this day, the day the Lord hath made, that you will find your strength and courage in the God who made you!!! Seek Him, seek His peace amidst the darkness, the struggles and trials. He is the light and the life!!!
God Bless you...and MUCH LOVE to you!!!
XOXO
Sherry
Yesterday morning I woke up with many thoughts and concerns floating around in my mind. I jumped into the shower and was astonished at how quickly I had gone from a deep sleep to all this concern and worry going on in my brain. I tried to reign it all in and pray about each situation...and as happens often with me, I was soon off to the land of what ifs and when/how...etc. I kept on having to retrieve my thoughts. All that in the time of a shower!
A bit later I sat down with my devotional and a hot cup of coffee and cracked open my devotional; "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young.
Let me just share what it had to say........
"I am your strength and shield. I plan each day and have it ready for you, long before you arise from bed. I also provide the strength you need each step of the way. Instead of assessing your energy level and wondering about whats on the road ahead, concentrate on staying in touch with Me. My Power flows freely into you through our open communication. Refuse to waste energy worrying, and you will have strength to spare.
Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am your Shield. But unlike inanimate armor, I am always alert and active. My Presence watches over you continually, protecting you from both known and unknown dangers. Entrust yourself to My watchcare, which is the best security system available. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go."
Isn't God so good to bring the perfect reassurance just when we need it!?
I am certain that I am not the only one needing a little reassurance today. A hopeful rest and trust that God has it ALL under control! It is so difficult to remember sometimes.
SO, the above is yet another draft I found in my pending file on my blog and it is as timely as ever. Again this morning I woke up with loved ones on my heart, namely my kiddos. This is obviously a trend of mine! The words to today's devotion were straight to the point and quite appropriate for this particular time of life. "This is a time in your life when you must learn to let go of loved ones, of possessions, of control. In order to let go of something that is precious to you, you need to rest in My Presence, where you are complete.
Apparently I am a slow learner!
Yet equally apparent God is not giving up on my lack of ability to catch on. Thankfully!
In case you too are feeling apprehension, worry, fret, anxiousness, here are some valuable verses to help ease your angst...
Psalm 28:7
Matthew 6:34
Psalm 56:3-4
Genesis 28:15
Psalm 89:15
Hebrew 13:8
Isaiah 41:13
I pray that as you go into this day, the day the Lord hath made, that you will find your strength and courage in the God who made you!!! Seek Him, seek His peace amidst the darkness, the struggles and trials. He is the light and the life!!!
God Bless you...and MUCH LOVE to you!!!
XOXO
Sherry
Monday, July 14, 2014
YOU ARE ENOUGH!
Here I am doing what I do best.
The dance of avoidance!
It is not because I do not like what I need to be doing, or that I do not have PLENTY to do!
That certainly is NOT the case!
Yet sometimes I simply find myself unable to focus on the task at hand with a torrent of other things running through my mind.
I am always drawn to post here because, even though I do not have a large following, the ones I do have are so sweet to let me know they are encouraged and inspired. Which happens to be my main goal in life.... to encourage and inspire others!
So now that I am here, what is the one thing I would like to tell you on this sweltering hot California day? That's easy....I definitely want you to know that......
YOU ARE ENOUGH!!!
God made you just as you are and He longs for you to rejoice and celebrate who you are!!!!
If you can just soak that in and feel it to the depth of your being you will be moved to a whole new level of confidence in Christ! A whole new level of validation and peace about who you are, who He created you to be. That is the most important thing! To have a strong, deep rooted faith and confidence in Christ!
Read Psalms 139 and insert your name...He made YOU wonderfully, beautifully, with a plan and a purpose. He loves you, treasures you...adores you and He says...........
YOU ARE ENOUGH!!
The dance of avoidance!
It is not because I do not like what I need to be doing, or that I do not have PLENTY to do!
That certainly is NOT the case!
Yet sometimes I simply find myself unable to focus on the task at hand with a torrent of other things running through my mind.
I am always drawn to post here because, even though I do not have a large following, the ones I do have are so sweet to let me know they are encouraged and inspired. Which happens to be my main goal in life.... to encourage and inspire others!
So now that I am here, what is the one thing I would like to tell you on this sweltering hot California day? That's easy....I definitely want you to know that......
YOU ARE ENOUGH!!!
God made you just as you are and He longs for you to rejoice and celebrate who you are!!!!
If you can just soak that in and feel it to the depth of your being you will be moved to a whole new level of confidence in Christ! A whole new level of validation and peace about who you are, who He created you to be. That is the most important thing! To have a strong, deep rooted faith and confidence in Christ!
Read Psalms 139 and insert your name...He made YOU wonderfully, beautifully, with a plan and a purpose. He loves you, treasures you...adores you and He says...........
YOU ARE ENOUGH!!
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
What's Your Name?
HELLO MY NAME IS....
Have you heard the amazing song "Hello My Name Is" by Matthew West?
(if not check it out)
It has made a profound effect on my heart and the hearts of the women at a retreat I was blessed and honored to speak at over the weekend.
In the first session I asked them to identify with the negative connotations that rang in their hearts and minds as they listened to the song play and jot down the name that they are calling themselves.
You see we all tend to fall prey to negativity and either repeat or create negative names for ourselves.
I struggled for years to squash down the nagging voices of negativity. Some days I still struggle with their ability to creep into my subconscious.
Can you relate?
What name have you been calling yourself?
Play the song and see if there are words/names you can identify with.
You don't want to give power to the enemy by saying them, but in identifying these destructive words we will learn to reject them as soon as they appear on the horizon.
After a weekend of enlightenment and discovery we played the song again and this time they were instructed to write the name that they NOW call themselves.
The positive one.
What an amazing transformation happened in hearts of women who trust God with their identity.
The song says we are identified as A CHILD OF THE ONE TRUE KING!!!
I want to remember to believe THAT!
I want to find my identity in the way HE sees me and not in how I see myself or how I think others might see me. Nothing matters except the way my God sees me. Since He is the one who created us, He is the One who knows our worth.
I pray that you will find your name, your identity in the One true King, the one who knit you together in your mother's womb (Psalm 139).
Find your name, your identity.
If you need help I would happily help you come up with your "new name"!
Try these on and see which one fits you best ;)
Redeemed, saved by grace, blessed, beautiful, amazing, treasured, loved, healed, brave, strong, victorious, gracious, kind, loving, peaceful, set free, happy, favored, cherished, beloved, wanted, worthy, precious, valuable, important, priceless, extraordinary......
Love & Blessings to you!
XO
Sherry
Have you heard the amazing song "Hello My Name Is" by Matthew West?
(if not check it out)
It has made a profound effect on my heart and the hearts of the women at a retreat I was blessed and honored to speak at over the weekend.
In the first session I asked them to identify with the negative connotations that rang in their hearts and minds as they listened to the song play and jot down the name that they are calling themselves.
You see we all tend to fall prey to negativity and either repeat or create negative names for ourselves.
I struggled for years to squash down the nagging voices of negativity. Some days I still struggle with their ability to creep into my subconscious.
Can you relate?
What name have you been calling yourself?
Play the song and see if there are words/names you can identify with.
You don't want to give power to the enemy by saying them, but in identifying these destructive words we will learn to reject them as soon as they appear on the horizon.
After a weekend of enlightenment and discovery we played the song again and this time they were instructed to write the name that they NOW call themselves.
The positive one.
What an amazing transformation happened in hearts of women who trust God with their identity.
The song says we are identified as A CHILD OF THE ONE TRUE KING!!!
I want to remember to believe THAT!
I want to find my identity in the way HE sees me and not in how I see myself or how I think others might see me. Nothing matters except the way my God sees me. Since He is the one who created us, He is the One who knows our worth.
I pray that you will find your name, your identity in the One true King, the one who knit you together in your mother's womb (Psalm 139).
Find your name, your identity.
If you need help I would happily help you come up with your "new name"!
Try these on and see which one fits you best ;)
Redeemed, saved by grace, blessed, beautiful, amazing, treasured, loved, healed, brave, strong, victorious, gracious, kind, loving, peaceful, set free, happy, favored, cherished, beloved, wanted, worthy, precious, valuable, important, priceless, extraordinary......
Love & Blessings to you!
XO
Sherry
Sunday, April 13, 2014
I BELIEVE!!!!
My heart and soul have been absolutely consumed lately. Rather than give you a laundry list of ALL that is going on in my head, home and heart I thought I would just see if I can somehow express some of my feelings and emotions in hopes that I can bring light to someone else.
Life has been full, overflowing actually, with a lot of BIG stuff.
The big things that only happen once in a great while, if EVER!
Those kinds of things that are the high scorers on the score sheet of stress levels.
A very dear friend of mine who has been going through a very trying time once told me that "You never know desperation, until you have been desperate"
She certainly knows desperation!
I am pretty sure I know desperation.
But that is not where the story ends.
The story goes on to the one who holds the hope and the future.
I am thankful to be able to put all of my faith and trust into a loving God who cares for me. Who will never leave me nor forsake me.
He is right there beside us, helping us walk through this journey we are facing.
He carries us when we cannot take another step forward.
We go through seasons...
Some seasons are filled with cold, dark days.
Some are full of flowers and rainbows.
All are important and necessary.
We must remain in faith when we cannot see through the piercing darkness. It is easy to take the next step or to sing the hallelujahs when we are seeing rainbows and flowers.
Faith calls for us to do so even when we cannot see the future, when it does not LOOK as if it could ever work out.
Who ever thought when Jesus was placed in the tomb after dying a gruesome death on the cross that three days later that huge stone would be rolled away and the tomb would stand EMPTY!?
That Jesus would be ALIVE!?!?!?
That there was a power THAT strong!
THAT is the power I am putting my hope in.
The resurrection power!!!
I BELIEVE!!!!
Do you believe?
Is your hope in the One who holds the future or only in what your mind can comprehend?
I want to encourage you to put your hope and faith in the ONE who holds the future. The One who died upon the cross to save us from our sins and then surprised everyone by rising from the dead!!!!!
Life has been full, overflowing actually, with a lot of BIG stuff.
The big things that only happen once in a great while, if EVER!
Those kinds of things that are the high scorers on the score sheet of stress levels.
A very dear friend of mine who has been going through a very trying time once told me that "You never know desperation, until you have been desperate"
She certainly knows desperation!
I am pretty sure I know desperation.
But that is not where the story ends.
The story goes on to the one who holds the hope and the future.
"BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS, DO NOT BE AFRAID OR TERRIFIED
BECAUSE OF THEM, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD GOES WITH YOU;
HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU."
DEUTERONOMY 31:6
He is right there beside us, helping us walk through this journey we are facing.
He carries us when we cannot take another step forward.
We go through seasons...
Some seasons are filled with cold, dark days.
Some are full of flowers and rainbows.
All are important and necessary.
We must remain in faith when we cannot see through the piercing darkness. It is easy to take the next step or to sing the hallelujahs when we are seeing rainbows and flowers.
Faith calls for us to do so even when we cannot see the future, when it does not LOOK as if it could ever work out.
Who ever thought when Jesus was placed in the tomb after dying a gruesome death on the cross that three days later that huge stone would be rolled away and the tomb would stand EMPTY!?
That Jesus would be ALIVE!?!?!?
That there was a power THAT strong!
THAT is the power I am putting my hope in.
The resurrection power!!!
I BELIEVE!!!!
Do you believe?
Is your hope in the One who holds the future or only in what your mind can comprehend?
I want to encourage you to put your hope and faith in the ONE who holds the future. The One who died upon the cross to save us from our sins and then surprised everyone by rising from the dead!!!!!
"MAY THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY & PEACE IN BELIEVING,
SO THAT BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT YOU MAY ABOUND IN HOPE"
SO THAT BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT YOU MAY ABOUND IN HOPE"
EPHESIANS 15:13
Whatever you are facing today, whether it be desperation or simple exhaustion and frustration...hold on dear one to the perfect promises of our faithful and loving God! All He asks you to do is to BELIEVE!!!!
XO
Much love to you!
Sherry
Whatever you are facing today, whether it be desperation or simple exhaustion and frustration...hold on dear one to the perfect promises of our faithful and loving God! All He asks you to do is to BELIEVE!!!!
XO
Much love to you!
Sherry
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
SURRENDER
Ahhhhh..... such is the way of God that when you hear His Word and let it seep deep down into your soul, it will begin to feed you like nutrition. That is why I often refer to it as "manna to my soul". He gives us just what we need every day, no more, no less. Only what can be digested and make sense to our earthly minds.
Often times I experience, what I am sure many of you do to, when I hear a message, read a story or devotion, hear a song, and it all seems to be saying the same thing to my heart. Such great confirmation. I love when this happens because I KNOW I am receiving a personal message from God. You know what it is like when someone tells you something and you feel like YES!! You get it! You understand. Well, I guess that is what this feels like to me. It is like YES GOD! That is EXACTLY what I needed to hear! (Duh! Like He didn't know! ha!!)
I had this experience over the weekend. It seemed like every message I listened to on TV (love me some church on TV when I am home on the weekends) while puttering around the house, the songs that I had playing while I was in my studio, the devotion I read in my awesome new devotional ("Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young)...were ALL speaking to me. Funny thing is, it was not so much to ME as it was to my heart about OTHERS I know who are going through some pretty tough times right now. OH, believe me I know it is still for me...because His Word is ALWAYS relevant in my heart and life. But these messages are meant to be shared, which is exactly why I am bringing all this up............
I want to share it all with you today!!!!!
SURRENDER TO GOD'S STRENGTH!!!
You have been hurting so deeply. Your heart is aching so terribly that it hurts, it really HURTS. Sometimes the simple act of breathing is painful, it cuts deep.
You must remember that when you are the weakest HE is the strongest! The battle is NOT yours, it is HIS. He wants to fight for you. He wants to protect you from all the pain you are feeling. He wants you to find PEACE in HIM.
YES, the pain you feel is REAL. VERY VERY VERY real!!!! Nothing minimizes how awful it is for you right now. But He wants you to move from that painful place to a place of TRUST, TRUST in HIM! Because when we are fearing, when we are anxious....we are NOT trusting Him!!!!
I am one to speak. I have worry stamped in a huge crease on my forehead. But then again, that may very well be why I know so much about how I am SUPPOSED to behave! ;)
I often meditate on Philippians 4:6-8.......
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. "
Seriously, these words are imprinted upon my heart because I have had to refer to them so many times.
I encourage you to write them upon your heart. (which means memorize them so they are there to stay).
When you find yourself ready to go crazy with fear or worry...begin to recite these words, out loud, or silently in your mind. It doesn't matter, just SPEAK THEM!
It is a daily walk. Day by day, sometimes moment by moment. Get through this moment, this day and THEN move on to the next. Just like manna for the soul, you have the energy and strength you need RIGHT NOW, He has equipped you with just what you need.
He has not left you, He never will leave you nor forsake you!!!!
He loves you.
PRAISE HIM.
Oh I know.....it feels a little weird to praise Him when you are feeling like you can barely think a positive thought right now. That's okay, He understands! Begin to offer the "sacrifice" of Praise. Sacrifice means that it cost you something. So when you reach deep into yourself right now and make the effort to sacrifice that praise that does not come easy, you are doing just what you should be doing.
PRAISE is FAITH at work!
You never know when your victory is coming, so do not give up!!!!! Never EVER give up!!!!
God has not nor will He ever give up on you!
Dig deeper. Dig your heels in. HOLD ON.
Shake off the negative.
Stay in a constant attitude of praise and thanksgiving.
(what a perfect season to be practicing this!!)
One of the best ways to practice this is by coming up with at least one thing every day that you have to be thankful for.
You may be on the brink of your miracle. The change you are looking for may happen TODAY. The revelation you need to hear from God may come TODAY! That pain inside you may begin to ease TODAY! So....hang in there! Never, ever let go of HOPE!
Surrender to HIM! Give it ALL to Him. He is waiting..................
XO
Often times I experience, what I am sure many of you do to, when I hear a message, read a story or devotion, hear a song, and it all seems to be saying the same thing to my heart. Such great confirmation. I love when this happens because I KNOW I am receiving a personal message from God. You know what it is like when someone tells you something and you feel like YES!! You get it! You understand. Well, I guess that is what this feels like to me. It is like YES GOD! That is EXACTLY what I needed to hear! (Duh! Like He didn't know! ha!!)
I had this experience over the weekend. It seemed like every message I listened to on TV (love me some church on TV when I am home on the weekends) while puttering around the house, the songs that I had playing while I was in my studio, the devotion I read in my awesome new devotional ("Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young)...were ALL speaking to me. Funny thing is, it was not so much to ME as it was to my heart about OTHERS I know who are going through some pretty tough times right now. OH, believe me I know it is still for me...because His Word is ALWAYS relevant in my heart and life. But these messages are meant to be shared, which is exactly why I am bringing all this up............
I want to share it all with you today!!!!!
SURRENDER TO GOD'S STRENGTH!!!
You have been hurting so deeply. Your heart is aching so terribly that it hurts, it really HURTS. Sometimes the simple act of breathing is painful, it cuts deep.
You must remember that when you are the weakest HE is the strongest! The battle is NOT yours, it is HIS. He wants to fight for you. He wants to protect you from all the pain you are feeling. He wants you to find PEACE in HIM.
YES, the pain you feel is REAL. VERY VERY VERY real!!!! Nothing minimizes how awful it is for you right now. But He wants you to move from that painful place to a place of TRUST, TRUST in HIM! Because when we are fearing, when we are anxious....we are NOT trusting Him!!!!
I am one to speak. I have worry stamped in a huge crease on my forehead. But then again, that may very well be why I know so much about how I am SUPPOSED to behave! ;)
I often meditate on Philippians 4:6-8.......
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. "
Seriously, these words are imprinted upon my heart because I have had to refer to them so many times.
I encourage you to write them upon your heart. (which means memorize them so they are there to stay).
When you find yourself ready to go crazy with fear or worry...begin to recite these words, out loud, or silently in your mind. It doesn't matter, just SPEAK THEM!
It is a daily walk. Day by day, sometimes moment by moment. Get through this moment, this day and THEN move on to the next. Just like manna for the soul, you have the energy and strength you need RIGHT NOW, He has equipped you with just what you need.
He has not left you, He never will leave you nor forsake you!!!!
He loves you.
PRAISE HIM.
Oh I know.....it feels a little weird to praise Him when you are feeling like you can barely think a positive thought right now. That's okay, He understands! Begin to offer the "sacrifice" of Praise. Sacrifice means that it cost you something. So when you reach deep into yourself right now and make the effort to sacrifice that praise that does not come easy, you are doing just what you should be doing.
PRAISE is FAITH at work!
You never know when your victory is coming, so do not give up!!!!! Never EVER give up!!!!
God has not nor will He ever give up on you!
Dig deeper. Dig your heels in. HOLD ON.
Shake off the negative.
Stay in a constant attitude of praise and thanksgiving.
(what a perfect season to be practicing this!!)
One of the best ways to practice this is by coming up with at least one thing every day that you have to be thankful for.
You may be on the brink of your miracle. The change you are looking for may happen TODAY. The revelation you need to hear from God may come TODAY! That pain inside you may begin to ease TODAY! So....hang in there! Never, ever let go of HOPE!
Surrender to HIM! Give it ALL to Him. He is waiting..................
XO
Friday, November 11, 2011
The Power Of One.....
Today is 11-11-11...the most ones you can possibly have in a date. I do not know the statistics but I am pretty sure this will not happen again in our lifetimes!
Seems like all year long I have found myself noticing the clock every time it was 1:11 or 11:11. It has been a bit odd to me. I have often wondered what the significance is. Still do.
What I do know is what God impressed upon my heart this very morning as I was on my dark and early morning walk.
He was reminding me something He had shown me YEARS ago. In a dark and difficult time I happened to be at a women's retreat in the mountains. We were sitting in this incredible A-frame chapel that had windows up at the very top. I was transfixed with the view out those windows, seeing the tops of the gorgeous tall trees reaching the sky. I felt alone. Small. Insignificant. Useless. Meaningless. I was lost.
He, ever so gently brought to me the scripture about leaving the ninety and nine to find the ONE.
I could literally SEE it as I was staring out those windows.
Have you ever read that scripture???.....the shepherd is out with the flock in the field and ONE little lamb comes up missing. That shepherd leaves the 99 sheep that are there and accounted for to find the ONE that is missing.
(Matthew 18:11-14)
That ONE was ME!!!
God was reassuring me that He wanted ME to be found and accounted for.
WOW!!!!
I will never forget that!
Today I want to send that message to YOU!
You may be just one, but YOU ARE ONE!!!!!
One is significant.
One is powerful.
One is enough.
YOU ARE ENOUGH!!!!!!
Back to today, on my walk, God was reassuring me that if I were the ONLY ONE on this earth He would have STILL sent His ONE and ONLY son to this earth to die....for ME!!!!
Okay, if you are anything like me this is soooooooooooo hard to comprehend!!!
Really?!?! ME!??!?!?
JUST ME!?!?!?!?!?!?
He says YES!!!!!!
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God loves you and YOU are ONE and you are ENOUGH!!!!!!
Try to remember that.........try to write that upon your heart and forever keep the image that you are that ONE sheep that He left the fold to find. It was YOU and He found you!!!!
And forever He shall keep you!!!!!!
Let ONE be a significant number to you today as it represents YOU!!
For you are ONE...ONE very important one!!!!!
XO
Love & Blessings to you!
Yup .......
YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seems like all year long I have found myself noticing the clock every time it was 1:11 or 11:11. It has been a bit odd to me. I have often wondered what the significance is. Still do.
What I do know is what God impressed upon my heart this very morning as I was on my dark and early morning walk.
He was reminding me something He had shown me YEARS ago. In a dark and difficult time I happened to be at a women's retreat in the mountains. We were sitting in this incredible A-frame chapel that had windows up at the very top. I was transfixed with the view out those windows, seeing the tops of the gorgeous tall trees reaching the sky. I felt alone. Small. Insignificant. Useless. Meaningless. I was lost.
He, ever so gently brought to me the scripture about leaving the ninety and nine to find the ONE.
I could literally SEE it as I was staring out those windows.
Have you ever read that scripture???.....the shepherd is out with the flock in the field and ONE little lamb comes up missing. That shepherd leaves the 99 sheep that are there and accounted for to find the ONE that is missing.
(Matthew 18:11-14)
That ONE was ME!!!
God was reassuring me that He wanted ME to be found and accounted for.
WOW!!!!
I will never forget that!
Today I want to send that message to YOU!
You may be just one, but YOU ARE ONE!!!!!
One is significant.
One is powerful.
One is enough.
YOU ARE ENOUGH!!!!!!
Back to today, on my walk, God was reassuring me that if I were the ONLY ONE on this earth He would have STILL sent His ONE and ONLY son to this earth to die....for ME!!!!
Okay, if you are anything like me this is soooooooooooo hard to comprehend!!!
Really?!?! ME!??!?!?
JUST ME!?!?!?!?!?!?
He says YES!!!!!!
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God loves you and YOU are ONE and you are ENOUGH!!!!!!
Try to remember that.........try to write that upon your heart and forever keep the image that you are that ONE sheep that He left the fold to find. It was YOU and He found you!!!!
And forever He shall keep you!!!!!!
Let ONE be a significant number to you today as it represents YOU!!
For you are ONE...ONE very important one!!!!!
XO
Love & Blessings to you!
Yup .......
YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
God is ALWAYS on Time!!!!
I had the most awesome experience of God's PERFECT timing this morning.
It brings MANY different situations all into play to create the perfect timings.
You see in a land far away it was actually ALMOST November 3rd as I sat down at my computer. November 3rd is my sons birthday. Since I wanted to wish him a happy birthday as soon as I could, and since he is on the "night shift" in Afghanistan I thought I better get on here and send him a message before I left for work this morning.
SO I did.......... a sweet little birthday email to my amazing son!
Then I proceeded to get ready for my day.
I was about to leave for work when I decided to check my email one more time (just in case I heard back from him).
Lo and behold there was a message from him, a very sweet message that made this momma cry (dang now I have to go fix my make up!!!).
He said that as he was reading the message I sent this morning a Marine walked in with the two packages I had sent him for his birthday. How do you like that for timing!!!!
Now I have to interject the story of those packages.
I was trying my darnedest to get those packages out last week on Monday I think it was.......I hit several obstacles ending with it being 4:50 pm, Post Office is about to close and I just CANNOT make it work! SO I had to wait til the next day. ugh!!!! I was sooo frustrated! I came home and my sweet husband helped me get the packages to work (I was having trouble getting my little birthday balloon to fit and the sign to fly out with it (cos it was attached) and the funfetti cookies were not fitting and ...well you get the idea..........
Apparently the timing was not right.......and needed that extra day!
Go figure!
Because in the end the packages got there at the PERFECT time!!!!!
I tell this story for a couple of reasons. First because I wanted to show the power of God to touch hearts so many miles apart through this fabulous world of technology we have today.
I am so grateful!!
AND because I know so many lovely people out there right now who are struggling to understand Gods timing, His divine wisdom and power to make it all work out for their good. Oh they know it and they are trying to believe it with their whole hearts BUT when life continues to seemingly go awry and all that they want and hope for and dream of is so illusive it becomes quite hard to hold on.
My getting frustrated and dealing with the issues of getting those packages off in the mail is far less than the issues they are facing.
I know that.
BUT I believe in the picture stories we are given in life to help us SEE. God used these parables all the time cos he knew that is how we would grasp and comprehend the lessons we must learn and the promises that they hold.
I want to encourage you to hold on!!
To TRUST and BELIEVE!!!
God DOES have a perfect timing!
Underneath the surface is a perfect plan working it's way out.
Have you ever heard the illustration that Corrie ten Boom used? She said life is like a tapestry. The side that you are seeing as you are stitching along is the underneath, it is tangled with threads going this way and that. It doesn't look like it makes any sense at all. In fact it looks quite jumbled up and messy. BUT, turn it over and take a look at the finished product. Those colorful pieces have been used to create the different parts of the picture to create the beautiful masterpiece.
Such is out lives. Some times they seem to be so messy and jumbled up. Sure doesn't seem to make a lick of sense or look pretty at all. BUT just you wait, one day the finished product shall be revealed to us and we will then behold the beauty behind every single difficulty. We may not see it all on this side of heaven.
This is where the TRUST and BELIEF comes in. Trust that He loves you and is there for you, He will NOT leave you nor forsake you. BELIEVE that He is sovereign and IS working ALL things together for the good to those who love Him!!!!
I pray that today you will see the beauty in God's perfect timing and you will remember that even those annoying frustrations in life can be a part of a better timing, a part of the bigger picture!
Hold on dear one.............HOLD ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XO
It brings MANY different situations all into play to create the perfect timings.
You see in a land far away it was actually ALMOST November 3rd as I sat down at my computer. November 3rd is my sons birthday. Since I wanted to wish him a happy birthday as soon as I could, and since he is on the "night shift" in Afghanistan I thought I better get on here and send him a message before I left for work this morning.
SO I did.......... a sweet little birthday email to my amazing son!
Then I proceeded to get ready for my day.
I was about to leave for work when I decided to check my email one more time (just in case I heard back from him).
Lo and behold there was a message from him, a very sweet message that made this momma cry (dang now I have to go fix my make up!!!).
He said that as he was reading the message I sent this morning a Marine walked in with the two packages I had sent him for his birthday. How do you like that for timing!!!!
Now I have to interject the story of those packages.
I was trying my darnedest to get those packages out last week on Monday I think it was.......I hit several obstacles ending with it being 4:50 pm, Post Office is about to close and I just CANNOT make it work! SO I had to wait til the next day. ugh!!!! I was sooo frustrated! I came home and my sweet husband helped me get the packages to work (I was having trouble getting my little birthday balloon to fit and the sign to fly out with it (cos it was attached) and the funfetti cookies were not fitting and ...well you get the idea..........
Apparently the timing was not right.......and needed that extra day!
Go figure!
Because in the end the packages got there at the PERFECT time!!!!!
I tell this story for a couple of reasons. First because I wanted to show the power of God to touch hearts so many miles apart through this fabulous world of technology we have today.
I am so grateful!!
AND because I know so many lovely people out there right now who are struggling to understand Gods timing, His divine wisdom and power to make it all work out for their good. Oh they know it and they are trying to believe it with their whole hearts BUT when life continues to seemingly go awry and all that they want and hope for and dream of is so illusive it becomes quite hard to hold on.
My getting frustrated and dealing with the issues of getting those packages off in the mail is far less than the issues they are facing.
I know that.
BUT I believe in the picture stories we are given in life to help us SEE. God used these parables all the time cos he knew that is how we would grasp and comprehend the lessons we must learn and the promises that they hold.
I want to encourage you to hold on!!
To TRUST and BELIEVE!!!
God DOES have a perfect timing!
Underneath the surface is a perfect plan working it's way out.
Have you ever heard the illustration that Corrie ten Boom used? She said life is like a tapestry. The side that you are seeing as you are stitching along is the underneath, it is tangled with threads going this way and that. It doesn't look like it makes any sense at all. In fact it looks quite jumbled up and messy. BUT, turn it over and take a look at the finished product. Those colorful pieces have been used to create the different parts of the picture to create the beautiful masterpiece.
Such is out lives. Some times they seem to be so messy and jumbled up. Sure doesn't seem to make a lick of sense or look pretty at all. BUT just you wait, one day the finished product shall be revealed to us and we will then behold the beauty behind every single difficulty. We may not see it all on this side of heaven.
This is where the TRUST and BELIEF comes in. Trust that He loves you and is there for you, He will NOT leave you nor forsake you. BELIEVE that He is sovereign and IS working ALL things together for the good to those who love Him!!!!
I pray that today you will see the beauty in God's perfect timing and you will remember that even those annoying frustrations in life can be a part of a better timing, a part of the bigger picture!
Hold on dear one.............HOLD ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XO
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Oh soooo long!!!!
I sure did not mean for so much time to pass before posting!!! I always think of plenty to write about but struggle to find the time to actually DO it!
I am toying with the idea of a website (actually a dear friend is thinking of putting one together for me!). I certainly must get better at keeping up if I plan on doing that!
It is my desire to write posts on a regular basis that might be of an encouragement to those who happen to read my blog. I long to encourage others...YOU...on this journey of life. Part of my personal "mission statement" says that "I want to share that which I know to help others and encourage them" I only "know" what I know because I have traveled this path long enough to have learned many a lesson and I have gone through my own troubles and trials just like you. In each of these I grew a little bit and though I have far from "arrived" at a place of full growth and wisdom (I am not sure I will ever fully "arrive" until I arrive in heaven!) I use those lessons to GrOw from. (that is my fancy way of combining GO and GROW....which I feel is exactly what life is about...going and growing forward.
I love to share. I bet if my parents were alive they would say that I shared well when I was little. It seems like every time I know something I want desperately to share it with any and everyone who might be able to benefit from the same knowledge. I want to do what I can to spare others from having to learn "it" the hard way.
"IT" being anything from hard learned lessons in life about self-esteem, overcoming issues from childhood all the way to the much simpler things like recipes.....
All of it mixed with the Word of God, the measuring device for all things good in life.
So....in my desire to be an encouragement I shall try to be better at posting more often.
Let me leave you with a little encouragement right now..........
So many I know are going through a difficult time, a trying time. It is not easy to keep the faith let alone be strong in that faith. I want you to know and to remember that you are NOT ALONE! You are NEVER alone! God has not and never will leave you nor forsake you. He loves you more than you might ever comprehend. It is a love that is hard to comprehend in this world because it has no strings attached, no conditions, no judgements...it is PURE LOVE!
You deserve every ounce of that pure love!!
KNOW that you are deserving of every good gift and that He will give you just what you need when you need it. Life is certainly not without troubles and trials, you know that very well. BUT, do not lose hope...do not grow weary. He is with you and He cares!!!!! He really, really does.
So do I so if I can pray for you or encourage you in any way, let me know!
Love & Blessings!
XO Sherry
I love to share. I bet if my parents were alive they would say that I shared well when I was little. It seems like every time I know something I want desperately to share it with any and everyone who might be able to benefit from the same knowledge. I want to do what I can to spare others from having to learn "it" the hard way.
"IT" being anything from hard learned lessons in life about self-esteem, overcoming issues from childhood all the way to the much simpler things like recipes.....
All of it mixed with the Word of God, the measuring device for all things good in life.
So....in my desire to be an encouragement I shall try to be better at posting more often.
Let me leave you with a little encouragement right now..........
So many I know are going through a difficult time, a trying time. It is not easy to keep the faith let alone be strong in that faith. I want you to know and to remember that you are NOT ALONE! You are NEVER alone! God has not and never will leave you nor forsake you. He loves you more than you might ever comprehend. It is a love that is hard to comprehend in this world because it has no strings attached, no conditions, no judgements...it is PURE LOVE!
You deserve every ounce of that pure love!!
KNOW that you are deserving of every good gift and that He will give you just what you need when you need it. Life is certainly not without troubles and trials, you know that very well. BUT, do not lose hope...do not grow weary. He is with you and He cares!!!!! He really, really does.
So do I so if I can pray for you or encourage you in any way, let me know!
Love & Blessings!
XO Sherry
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Maybe it is his Marine training, or just being a man, I am not sure....but my son has reminded me a time or two to.....BE AWARE OF MY SURROUNDINGS!
I have taken his advice to heart and I do my best to take good care to stay safe and be alert as I go about my day, in public places, and even when I am home. I understand the need to watch what is happening around me, to be on watchful alert at all times.
These days it is esp important to be reminded of this because we have our high tech phones that we can easily get our noses stuck in even as we are walking to our cars in parking lots, etc.
There are so many safety rules/lessons, that we need to be sure we are applying on a daily minute by minute basis.
This is also true in the spiritual realm.
There is an invisible yet VERY destructive enemy on the prowl every minute of every day following you around doing his best to knock you down and wipe you out completely.
This enemy is as sly as a slithering snake. He is waiting for you to have your guard down and he is ready to pounce on you. He does not do this in obvious ways like a home invasion.....although it will certainly feel like one once he has had his way with you.
No, he usually works on the sly and begins chipping away at your confidence, your peace, your very sanity.
He knows where you are vulnerable, he knows where to hit you.
Your family, your marriage, your kids, your job, your home, you name it...that thing that matters to you, he will be after it!!!
We are warned about this enemy in John 10:10
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy."
God knew we would need to be on alert. That we would need to keep our guard up.
If we keep on reading we will find the happy ending....
"I have come that they have life and that they may have it abundantly."
HE is our savior! Our hero! Our knight in shining armor!!!
He is here to save us from the attacks of the enemy!!
It is up to us to be aware, to constantly think about what we are thinking about. Check ourselves as to how we are reacting and responding to the stresses in life, or even how we are just plain ole reacting to the people in our lives. Watch where we are going, what we are seeing and listening to.
If we can remember that the enemy does not want us to be happy and peaceful and to have all that GOD has for us.....and remain watchful at all times, we can keep the devil out.
Put our armor on every day to be prepared in battle, because whether we want to accept it or not, this IS a battle!
Let me echo my sons warning to YOU dear ones....
BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS!!!!!
XO
I have taken his advice to heart and I do my best to take good care to stay safe and be alert as I go about my day, in public places, and even when I am home. I understand the need to watch what is happening around me, to be on watchful alert at all times.
These days it is esp important to be reminded of this because we have our high tech phones that we can easily get our noses stuck in even as we are walking to our cars in parking lots, etc.
There are so many safety rules/lessons, that we need to be sure we are applying on a daily minute by minute basis.
This is also true in the spiritual realm.
There is an invisible yet VERY destructive enemy on the prowl every minute of every day following you around doing his best to knock you down and wipe you out completely.
This enemy is as sly as a slithering snake. He is waiting for you to have your guard down and he is ready to pounce on you. He does not do this in obvious ways like a home invasion.....although it will certainly feel like one once he has had his way with you.
No, he usually works on the sly and begins chipping away at your confidence, your peace, your very sanity.
He knows where you are vulnerable, he knows where to hit you.
Your family, your marriage, your kids, your job, your home, you name it...that thing that matters to you, he will be after it!!!
We are warned about this enemy in John 10:10
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy."
God knew we would need to be on alert. That we would need to keep our guard up.
If we keep on reading we will find the happy ending....
"I have come that they have life and that they may have it abundantly."
HE is our savior! Our hero! Our knight in shining armor!!!
He is here to save us from the attacks of the enemy!!
It is up to us to be aware, to constantly think about what we are thinking about. Check ourselves as to how we are reacting and responding to the stresses in life, or even how we are just plain ole reacting to the people in our lives. Watch where we are going, what we are seeing and listening to.
If we can remember that the enemy does not want us to be happy and peaceful and to have all that GOD has for us.....and remain watchful at all times, we can keep the devil out.
Put our armor on every day to be prepared in battle, because whether we want to accept it or not, this IS a battle!
Let me echo my sons warning to YOU dear ones....
BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS!!!!!
XO
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Hurting Hearts and the Love of our Faithful Father.....
Good Evening all of you lovelies......
My heart is heavy thinking of so many precious people who are struggling deeply. There are so many aches and pains in living this life on earth. We are going to feel these effects of an imperfect world more and more every single day until the day we get to heaven.
It is inevitable. Our reward is coming.
YET, the pain that you are feeling RIGHT NOW is real and it hurts deeply.
I know.
No matter how desperate you feel,
how deep your heart has been cut,
how depressed you have been,
no matter how grim the future looks,
how scared you feel right now,
how impossible the situation feels at this moment,
how confused you are, how lonely you have been feeling,
no matter how crazed you are feeling......
ALL of those things are oh so real...........
But I want you to remember that SO IS OUR GOD!!!!!
He has your back!
He is bending over to pick you up.
He is wiping the tears from your eyes.
He is smoothing out the way before you.
He is opening doors where others have slammed in your face.
He is clearing a path where the one you are on has become over grown with weeds.
He is the sunshine that will brighten your days.
He is the peace that will surround you,
the smile that is in your heart.
He is the author of all good things, and He is writing your story.
He created you perfectly, wonderfully, beautifully, with a plan and a purpose. (Psalm 139)
He has not forgotten.
Check YOUR OWN decisions and choices to see if YOU are the one in the way of the blessings.
If not, then it is just not time YET!
They shall come.
He ALWAYS provides.
Granted, it is not always in the way we had hoped or asked for.
Believe it or not, to get everything the way we want it is not always the best for us.
Just think of how parents are with their kiddos. Children are always asking for something....and parents don't always say yes, because they know what is best for them. Maybe they want more sugar and the parent knows how destructive it can be. Or maybe they want to do something dangerous, the parent is only looking out for their safety.
Sometimes there is no apparent reason when God tells us no, but just as our children trust us, we must trust GOD with the answer He is giving us.
Trust and Obey.
One of the first scriptures I memorized when I was saved at the age of 24 was Proverbs 3:5-7
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge HIM in ALL your ways and He will direct your paths."
Not many days go by that I do not think of this scripture and KNOW that it is my favorite, my "life verse" for a reason...because GOD knows where I am weak (trusting HIM/letting go of control and trying to figure things out.
God knows your weaknesses too.
He knows what you need and when you need it.
He knows your hearts desire, because HE PUT IT THERE!!!!
I want to encourage you...whatever you are facing, I can list the NUMEROUS things I know of at this moment:
loss of job
no home of your own
desperate to become a mommy
starting a new life
confused about love
severe health issues that are looming over you
a medical scare
financial struggles
marital trouble
starting over
raising children and all the struggles that comes with that
exhausted and overwhelmed
someone you love is incarcerated
someone you love is distant and leaving you out
depression threatens to takes hold/or it has taken hold
you are in pain all day, every day
your work situation is miserable
your car is broken down, again!
you are grieving
you are scared
you are desperate
you are struggling with addiction
you cannot seem to keep up
you are overwhelmed
you feel isolated and alone
you feel like you do not have a purpose
I kid you not, I had someone particular in mind with each one of those issues I wrote!!! Some people I realized fell into more than one category even.
These are desperate times.
Once again, I have the answer for you.........the only answer there is.
The answer is GOD!!!!
Allow HIM to permeate your very being and to be your all in all. Once you begin lining your life up with HIM and HIS WORD, you will begin to feel a peace that passes all understanding. Knowing it is NOT up to you, but up to Him, should allow you to relax!
Something I say to myself often is: LET GO AND LET GOD!!!!!!
Whatever it is you are going through....I pray you will find the strength to give it to the omnipotent God and leave it with HIM!
If you would like me to pray for you, I would be honored.
Know that as I wrote this I was doing that very thing, praying for all these needs and knowing full well that there are so many more that I have not touched on. GOD KNOWS! When I pray, He fills in the gap.
May you feel that love and peace today.
God Bless You!!!
XO
My heart is heavy thinking of so many precious people who are struggling deeply. There are so many aches and pains in living this life on earth. We are going to feel these effects of an imperfect world more and more every single day until the day we get to heaven.
It is inevitable. Our reward is coming.
YET, the pain that you are feeling RIGHT NOW is real and it hurts deeply.
I know.
No matter how desperate you feel,
how deep your heart has been cut,
how depressed you have been,
no matter how grim the future looks,
how scared you feel right now,
how impossible the situation feels at this moment,
how confused you are, how lonely you have been feeling,
no matter how crazed you are feeling......
ALL of those things are oh so real...........
But I want you to remember that SO IS OUR GOD!!!!!
He has your back!
He is bending over to pick you up.
He is wiping the tears from your eyes.
He is smoothing out the way before you.
He is opening doors where others have slammed in your face.
He is clearing a path where the one you are on has become over grown with weeds.
He is the sunshine that will brighten your days.
He is the peace that will surround you,
the smile that is in your heart.
He is the author of all good things, and He is writing your story.
He created you perfectly, wonderfully, beautifully, with a plan and a purpose. (Psalm 139)
He has not forgotten.
Check YOUR OWN decisions and choices to see if YOU are the one in the way of the blessings.
If not, then it is just not time YET!
They shall come.
He ALWAYS provides.
Granted, it is not always in the way we had hoped or asked for.
Believe it or not, to get everything the way we want it is not always the best for us.
Just think of how parents are with their kiddos. Children are always asking for something....and parents don't always say yes, because they know what is best for them. Maybe they want more sugar and the parent knows how destructive it can be. Or maybe they want to do something dangerous, the parent is only looking out for their safety.
Sometimes there is no apparent reason when God tells us no, but just as our children trust us, we must trust GOD with the answer He is giving us.
Trust and Obey.
One of the first scriptures I memorized when I was saved at the age of 24 was Proverbs 3:5-7
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge HIM in ALL your ways and He will direct your paths."
Not many days go by that I do not think of this scripture and KNOW that it is my favorite, my "life verse" for a reason...because GOD knows where I am weak (trusting HIM/letting go of control and trying to figure things out.
God knows your weaknesses too.
He knows what you need and when you need it.
He knows your hearts desire, because HE PUT IT THERE!!!!
I want to encourage you...whatever you are facing, I can list the NUMEROUS things I know of at this moment:
loss of job
no home of your own
desperate to become a mommy
starting a new life
confused about love
severe health issues that are looming over you
a medical scare
financial struggles
marital trouble
starting over
raising children and all the struggles that comes with that
exhausted and overwhelmed
someone you love is incarcerated
someone you love is distant and leaving you out
depression threatens to takes hold/or it has taken hold
you are in pain all day, every day
your work situation is miserable
your car is broken down, again!
you are grieving
you are scared
you are desperate
you are struggling with addiction
you cannot seem to keep up
you are overwhelmed
you feel isolated and alone
you feel like you do not have a purpose
I kid you not, I had someone particular in mind with each one of those issues I wrote!!! Some people I realized fell into more than one category even.
These are desperate times.
Once again, I have the answer for you.........the only answer there is.
The answer is GOD!!!!
Allow HIM to permeate your very being and to be your all in all. Once you begin lining your life up with HIM and HIS WORD, you will begin to feel a peace that passes all understanding. Knowing it is NOT up to you, but up to Him, should allow you to relax!
Something I say to myself often is: LET GO AND LET GOD!!!!!!
Whatever it is you are going through....I pray you will find the strength to give it to the omnipotent God and leave it with HIM!
If you would like me to pray for you, I would be honored.
Know that as I wrote this I was doing that very thing, praying for all these needs and knowing full well that there are so many more that I have not touched on. GOD KNOWS! When I pray, He fills in the gap.
May you feel that love and peace today.
God Bless You!!!
XO
Friday, June 24, 2011
Summertime & Standing Strong!
Last week was one of the best weeks everrrrr!!!My little family all came home to the "nest" for a little Family Staycation.
We swam, & played & laughed & snuggled & read books & watched old movies & went to the park & colored & danced & played games & took naps (the kids - not the adults so much, that's when we had a chance to visit!)
What fun it was to fill our hearts and our home with so much love, laughter and memories that shall last us forever.
I love how my grandchildren have the sweetest cousin bonds, and how much fun they have and how much they enjoy being at Mimi & Papas!!!
I LOVE BEING MIMI!!!
I also love how much I enjoy being around my adult kiddos! They are so amazing!!!
As a family we have been through plenty of ups and downs in life and this past year and a half has been one of those times that we were tried and stretched and I am so thankful that we have held on to one another with a fierce grip!
The enemy is out to steal, kill and destroy! He is on the prowl at all times. To think you are immune to such attacks is only fooling yourself and leaving yourself vulnerable. Each and every day we must put on our armor and be prepared for the war that wages for our very souls and for our marriages and families.
"The thief does not come except to steal and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
John 10:10
I am so thankful that I have the promise of LIFE and LIFE ABUNDANTLY!!!!!!
God is so good!!!!
My hope for you is that you are enjoying the life that God has intended for you and that you stay ever alert to the tricks of the enemy.
XO
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Happy Mother's & UN-Mother's Day
To all of you moms out there who lovingly devote your lives to your children I pray you had a very blessed day designated to
YOU!!!!
Motherhood is a group I have been a proud member of for 32 years now.
It is the role of a lifetime for me.
I do not remember ever wanting to be anything else besides a mom when I was growing up.
While I thank God for the three precious blessings that God entrusted me with here on this earth, I know they are not mine, but they are His.
(I need reminded of this from time to time though, I will admit).
Each one of them are unique and incredible in their own right.
Each one was created wonderfully and beautifully by our awesome God.
Psalm 139 speaks of how God has created us just as He wants us to be,
He has given us specific talents and abilities that are there for His reasons.
I would love to introduce you to each one of my pride and joys and tell you all about Shelly, Sara and James and the fabulous qualities and traits they each possess.
HOWEVER....
I am feeling something else on my heart at the moment
(and............. I did not get permission to exploit them here! LOL!!!)
(and............. I did not get permission to exploit them here! LOL!!!)
While I am thankful and feel beyond blessed to be a mom.
I am mindful of so many women who long to be able to be a part of that group
called "Motherhood".
It breaks my heart to see the pain of these barren women.
I KNOW that God has a plan for their lives, I also know that at times that seems so distant and elusive compared to the longing deep within their precious, loving hearts.
I do not know God's ways, nor can I understand why sometimes we cannot have every desire of our heart, especially when it is something we feel so led to.
I can only say that GOD LOVES YOU and
HE SEES EVERY PAIN YOU FEEL.
He knows your heart, because HE created it!!
He DOES have a plan for you!!!
Please be encouraged by God Himself on this day that your heart feels heavier than usual for the longing within you heart.
As I have been writing I have been thinking of the many other types of moms that are struggling with this day.
There are the grieving moms who have lost a child.
The moms who have children but cannot be with them,
for one reason or another.
The mothers whose children have grown up and moved on
leaving them feeling lonely and without a purpose.
There are also those of you whose moms have passed away
and you are missing them desperately today.
There are some of you who feel an emptiness on this day because you have never felt the love of a mother and you long to have that in your life and in your heart.
For all of you I pray healing and wholeness within you, within your heart.
I pray that you know this is but one day in your life,
it is no more valuable than any other day in God's eyes.
He wants you to know and feel His love and JOY,
He wants you to feel His PEACE!!!
Remember...He knows your heart, He created it
and He does have a plan and purpose for your life!
I am praying for ALL of you moms right now......
in the mighty name of Jesus!!!
XO
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Shake It Off....
You know those phrases...."Shake it off" or "Let it roll off your back"?
We should let "it" be like water on a ducks back and let it just roll off.....
Don't let it stay with you....
"It" being something that is bothering you, something someone has said that hurt you, something you did wrong a mistake you made...etc.
I struggle with doing this. I realize it when I find myself crippled by the effects of the things that trouble me. I think I have always done this. I think many of us do.
Do you??
I watched a word picture. a lesson of sorts, play out before me last weekend when I went to watch my teenage grand-daughter at Cheer Competition.
There were many well practiced, skilled, incredible girls doing their cheers, dances and stunts. Not many mistakes were made (errr...noticed!).
I saw one girl make a little fumble in her flip, she briefly fell to the ground, but she was UP on her feet with her smile just as big as it was before. I kept on watching her to see if she was gonna be "off" from this little falter. She was NOT. She kept on going like nothing ever happened! I was so impressed. I am sure deep inside she was feeling like "bummer! I fell" but NOTHING showed on her face! She was definitely letting it roll off her back, she definitely shook it off immediately, and carried on.
Later I saw an opposite episode take place. Once again there was a falter, a fall...but this time the cute little cheerleader did not seem unaffected. In fact her face wore the episode all over it. She looked fretful and her smile was completely gone. She seemed to be shaken and off one beat the rest of the routine, as if she just could not make up for that one mis-step. It completely consumed her and affected her every move.
I sat there thinking what a great visual that was for this issue I have been dealing with; NOT shaking it off, not letting it roll off my back. Instead I tend to keep on falling all over myself for the ONE mistake I made, or the ONE problem I am having, for the ONE time someone hurt me.
Instead of it owning ONLY that ONE moment it happened, I am allowing it to own SO MUCH MORE!
I have mentioned before that I am taking a Soul Restoration Course (see side bar for more info..they are offering more classes coming up and I HIGHLY recommend them!!!). In this class we are referred to as "Brave Girls" (that is the name of the group that puts these classes on). So I have begun telling myself "You are BRAVE...you CAN do this!" You are not that one thing, that one moment, that one infraction.
Move on.
Carry on.
Put that smile back on your face.
If you let it roll off your back right away it will not bottle up and build up and become something far more than it should be in your heart and life. Otherwise it can fester and build up and become a deep infection within you causing you more pain and suffering than necessary.
Let me be your reminder today to; Let it roll off your back.
Shake it off and carry on!
Here's to shaking it off, even when we fall before HUNDREDS of spectators, and carrying on in God's strength!!!
When you find yourself falling this week, I pray you remember to pick yourself up and carry on. Take it to God and be released from the stronghold it can keep on you.
Remind yourself that YOU ARE BRAVE!!!
Have a happy and blessed week full of BRAVE moments!
XO
We should let "it" be like water on a ducks back and let it just roll off.....
Don't let it stay with you....
"It" being something that is bothering you, something someone has said that hurt you, something you did wrong a mistake you made...etc.
I struggle with doing this. I realize it when I find myself crippled by the effects of the things that trouble me. I think I have always done this. I think many of us do.
Do you??
I watched a word picture. a lesson of sorts, play out before me last weekend when I went to watch my teenage grand-daughter at Cheer Competition.
There were many well practiced, skilled, incredible girls doing their cheers, dances and stunts. Not many mistakes were made (errr...noticed!).
I saw one girl make a little fumble in her flip, she briefly fell to the ground, but she was UP on her feet with her smile just as big as it was before. I kept on watching her to see if she was gonna be "off" from this little falter. She was NOT. She kept on going like nothing ever happened! I was so impressed. I am sure deep inside she was feeling like "bummer! I fell" but NOTHING showed on her face! She was definitely letting it roll off her back, she definitely shook it off immediately, and carried on.
Later I saw an opposite episode take place. Once again there was a falter, a fall...but this time the cute little cheerleader did not seem unaffected. In fact her face wore the episode all over it. She looked fretful and her smile was completely gone. She seemed to be shaken and off one beat the rest of the routine, as if she just could not make up for that one mis-step. It completely consumed her and affected her every move.
I sat there thinking what a great visual that was for this issue I have been dealing with; NOT shaking it off, not letting it roll off my back. Instead I tend to keep on falling all over myself for the ONE mistake I made, or the ONE problem I am having, for the ONE time someone hurt me.
Instead of it owning ONLY that ONE moment it happened, I am allowing it to own SO MUCH MORE!
I have mentioned before that I am taking a Soul Restoration Course (see side bar for more info..they are offering more classes coming up and I HIGHLY recommend them!!!). In this class we are referred to as "Brave Girls" (that is the name of the group that puts these classes on). So I have begun telling myself "You are BRAVE...you CAN do this!" You are not that one thing, that one moment, that one infraction.
Move on.
Carry on.
Put that smile back on your face.
If you let it roll off your back right away it will not bottle up and build up and become something far more than it should be in your heart and life. Otherwise it can fester and build up and become a deep infection within you causing you more pain and suffering than necessary.
Let me be your reminder today to; Let it roll off your back.
Shake it off and carry on!
Here's to shaking it off, even when we fall before HUNDREDS of spectators, and carrying on in God's strength!!!
When you find yourself falling this week, I pray you remember to pick yourself up and carry on. Take it to God and be released from the stronghold it can keep on you.
Remind yourself that YOU ARE BRAVE!!!
Have a happy and blessed week full of BRAVE moments!
XO
Thursday, February 17, 2011
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE
Don't you just love it when several things come together to reveal to you a message!?
Over this past weekend while I was visiting my son and his precious little girls I was teaching them the Sunday school song "This little light of Mine".
Do you know it?
"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine,
this little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine, let it shine"
Then the little ditty seemed to stick in my head and I found myself humming it to myself on my seven hour drive home.
THEN....Once I came home it was time for Soul Restoration class.
What an amazing thing to discover Melody was talking about
how our lights shine and make a huge difference in the world.
How even one light can make a difference in the darkness.
About how amazing it is that we can light another's light
without taking anything from our own.
I was touched by the message,
the video and the very thought of how
each one of us women in the world
are a light
and when we allow ourselves to shine before men
we make an amazing difference in the world we are a part of.
Okay...THEN........
I opened up my art journal to do some of the art part of the lesson (a few days later)
and found that I had written something in there a couple of weeks prior.
"Dear Brave Girl, Don't ever doubt your strength, the power within. It is God IN you. With HIM all things are possible and He wants to shine through you!!!"
Apparently God is sending me (and others) an important message..........
and I wanted to share it with you!
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16
I believe God wants you to know too that
YOU ARE A LIGHT!!!!!!!!
That He made you wonderfully, perfectly and that you
have a specific light that you are to SHINE!!!!
What is it that God put in your heart?
He put it there for a reason...for a purpose.
It is up to you, a responsibility,
to use it and to be a LIGHT for others to see.
It is our light that will lead others to HIM!
So, my question to you is this...
Are you letting your light shine?
I have to tell you something..........
I have found myself with my own light buried so deep
that no one could ever see it if they wanted to!
No one would even know it was there,
because it was buried under the mess of life.
I would allow the issues and overwhelm of life to darken the light.
Are you doing the same???
Let me encourage you to release the junk of life
to the only one capable...GOD Himself.
To trust HIM with your troubles and trials
and in the process your light shall SHINE
I hope the little ditty is ringing in your heart now
and you will go around singing the song to yourself as a reminder to
LET YOUR LITTLE LIGHT SHINE!!!!!
Lots of love and blessings to you!
XO
XO
Friday, October 15, 2010
Feeling Upside Down??
Isn't he adorable!?
This is my youngest grandangel, one of the sweet JOYS of my life!
I just love this picture cos it just seems to be fitting of me these days...upside down, but smiling anyway! :)
There is always something to smile about..something to THANK GOD for!
In Max Lucado's message tonite at the "Change The World Tour" he made a very good point (of course he did he IS Max Lucado!!!)
He said: "many of you are going through difficult times and feeling overwhelmed by it all. I can not promise you that your situation is going to change and be better..but I CAN promise you that GOD IS WITH YOU and HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU! He has your back!!!!! He will never leave you nor forsake you."
It is so true!!!!
When nothing else seems to make sense, nothing seems to be going right, you just have to keep the faith, keep moving forward, keep on keeping on.
I am learning that is not always easy, some things are so much easier said than done!
BUT it IS the right thing, the thing that God would have me do....and YOU DO!
If you find yourself struggling to stay upright some days, to keep the emotions at bay, to fight the negative thoughts, to keep a good attitude......FIX YOUR EYES UPON JESUS!!!!!
Max went on to explain that the bigger you make GOD, the smaller your problems will become.
Keep Him in focus, keep your eyes upon HIM.
SO...If you find yourself feeling "upside down" and "beside yourself"....
KEEP FOCUSING ON JESUS!!!
Make him bigger and your problems smaller and smaller.... and SMILE!!!!!
XO
Love & Blessings!
Monday, October 11, 2010
The Clouds Are Parting....
The fabulous sights of God's creation never cease to amaze and thrill me!
I saw this sight on my way home from a long day of work recently....I could not pass it up.
I had my camera with me so I pulled over, jumped out of my car and snapped several pics.
I am sure the people who were passing by me at
lightning-gotta-get-home-speed were thinking I was nuts,
but I knew better.
The very act of me stopping to take in this scene was a HUGE part of the progress I am making.
For a while I was so submersed in the deep dark hole that I could not see ANYTHING.
That happens sometimes.
It is not fun, nor is it anything I am proud to admit.
It seems to come with the territory of LIFE
and life with a chronic illness that takes a HUGE toll on the 'ole AGING body!
I don't talk about it much, I actually prefer to act like it is not even there.
(the fact that I have been struggling with a condition called Fibromyalgia for 7 years now)
Which has been part of my problem.
If you act like something is not there it does not magically disappear!
Go figure!
Some times the pain and agony in my body is so intense that it takes a terrible toll on the rest of me, my emotions, my mind, my attitude.
Yea, my attitude was starting to get pretty bad....
that is probably why God had me in a little "time-out".
Can't say I blame Him!
Every year around my birthday time I make it a point to STOP
and ponder, pray, seek GOD, re-evaluate my life and the things that are filling it up.....
However, this was not the "feel good, catch a break, get-away" kind of fun reflection I prefer!
I gleaned several lessons during this little time out,
most of which I am still digesting.
I can tell you though,
that if you are seeking GOD amidst all your troubles and trials,
He will be there. He will NEVER fail you.
People, on the other hand, might consistently disappoint....
that is when we must remember that
we are all just human beings striving to do our personal best
while we are here on this earth.
In the end what really, truly matters is doing God's work.
Being and doing the things He has for us, and us alone.
There are several talents and gifts we each possess that come packaged uniquely in us.
That leaves us each with a huge responsibility
to do everything we can to use them to the fullest for HIS glory.
I hesitate to post this.....I hesitate to be this REAL..
but you know what,
this is life.
This is what real life is like.
I know I am not the only one who struggles, who finds themselves
stumbling and falling down under the pressures of life.
I know I am not the only one to struggle with health issues that take a
tremendous toll not only on ones body but also the mind and emotions.
You know that saying....
Remember that the person you pass by today is fighting a harder battle than you.
I have only shared this with a few people but this leads me to the perfect illustration;
The day my mother died, back in January of 1997.
I had been in ICU with her, I witnessed her take her last breath
and then lie perfectly still, never to breath again.
I was with her as her spirit left her body.
As I walked out the door into the hallway just moments later...
there was a complete stranger who was in an all out, gotta-get-there mode
who was going so quickly that he/she
(I do not even remember!)
brushed my shoulder and nearly knocked me over.
Probably because I was already feeling very unstable.
That person had no idea that my mom just died!
I even remember thinking that.........
They don't know what I just experienced.
I wonder how many times we brush past someone who is facing one of their bleakest moments?
How many times we can brighten someones day by a simple smile?
How many times we have been thoughtless and inconsiderate,
never thinking about what that person is dealing with.
I do my best to remember this lesson, and to treat others gently and kindly.
We all deserve to be treated kindly.
Let me tell you.....whatever you are facing today GOD is bigger than it.
No matter how buried you feel, how submersed you feel,
how hard it is to even stay upright....
GOD IS WITH YOU!
HE LOVES YOU!!!!!!
Hold on tight & BREATHE!!!!
If you see a breathtaking sight.......
STOP, take it in and know that God is sending you a message of LOVE.
It is like a little postcard mailed directly to YOU!!!
Love & Blessings!
XO
Sunday, September 12, 2010
BEING STILL & LISTENING......
Being quiet is not that easy.
Well, I should say it does not COME easy for me. :) ha!!!
Not long ago (actually it seems like eons ago) I heard God speak very clearly to me that I needed to BE STILL, BE QUIET.....and LISTEN to Him!!!!!!!
Ohhhh Okay......................
I have yet to decipher ALL of the lessons I have learned from this experience, but I can tell you I am and have been learning a LOT!
Lessons in life do not come easy nor do they come without a high price.
I have been through a great deal lately.
Let's just say that I should come out of this pretty dang smart! ha!!!!
The battles have been raging. Emotionally, physically, spiritually....At one point all of them were raging full on, leaving this warrior weak and feeble. I have picked up my weapons again and re-entered the fight against the enemy. The war is exhausting...but I shall not grow weary.
Sometimes it helps when others come along and hold up our hands as goes the story in Exodus 17 when Moses friends literally held his arms up during the battle.....
"Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand."
So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And so it was , when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun."
THAT is exactly what we need in life, we need those who will come alongside us and lift us up, hold up our arms when we are far too exhausted to do so.
I have been THAT exhausted!!!
I can tell you that without the support of others I might not have made it through.
Thank God for those who love us enough to hold our arms, to be there for us in our weaknesses, to be strong when we cannot be.
Okay.....I better stop now.....remember....I am supposed to be QUIET!!!
So til I feel the gag order lift....Peace and LOVE be with you dear ones. May you know and feel His amazing love in your life and heart today and every day.
XO
Well, I should say it does not COME easy for me. :) ha!!!
Not long ago (actually it seems like eons ago) I heard God speak very clearly to me that I needed to BE STILL, BE QUIET.....and LISTEN to Him!!!!!!!
Ohhhh Okay......................
I thought I was.
Apparently I was not doing it enough. Probably filling in the quiet spaces with noise, talking instead of listening, talking to Him without leaving enough quiet space in which to HEAR Him speak back to me.I have yet to decipher ALL of the lessons I have learned from this experience, but I can tell you I am and have been learning a LOT!
Lessons in life do not come easy nor do they come without a high price.
I have been through a great deal lately.
Let's just say that I should come out of this pretty dang smart! ha!!!!
The battles have been raging. Emotionally, physically, spiritually....At one point all of them were raging full on, leaving this warrior weak and feeble. I have picked up my weapons again and re-entered the fight against the enemy. The war is exhausting...but I shall not grow weary.
Sometimes it helps when others come along and hold up our hands as goes the story in Exodus 17 when Moses friends literally held his arms up during the battle.....
"Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand."
So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And so it was , when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun."
THAT is exactly what we need in life, we need those who will come alongside us and lift us up, hold up our arms when we are far too exhausted to do so.
I have been THAT exhausted!!!
I can tell you that without the support of others I might not have made it through.
Thank God for those who love us enough to hold our arms, to be there for us in our weaknesses, to be strong when we cannot be.
Okay.....I better stop now.....remember....I am supposed to be QUIET!!!
So til I feel the gag order lift....Peace and LOVE be with you dear ones. May you know and feel His amazing love in your life and heart today and every day.
XO
Sunday, August 1, 2010
This Weekend I....
* Went to a Bridal Shower for one of my sweet nephews' fiance's. Congratulations Lacey & Christopher!!!It was sooooo fun to be around family!!!
* Went to dinner with my sweet husband and while we were waiting saw some of the sweet young'ins that grew up with my kiddos....they are no longer "youngins" of course! It was sooo good to see them and to have a quick, sweet chat!
* Did laundry, changed sheets, weeded the flower garden....
(not a big housework weekend! ;)
* Spent too long at Michaels looking for a product that apparently they no longer stock...something I NEED for a project I am making that needs to be done NEXT WEEKEND!
uh oh!!!!
* Went to Home Depot for parts for the sprinker system that was punctured by the jumper/water slide we had for our big party!
* Went grocery shopping.
* Sat out at the pool, under the shade of a palm tree, with a warm breeze blowing, holding a sleeping baby, while watching the other little guy show me tricks he could do in the "CA CUZZI!" ;) ...now that is the life!!!!
* Had a another major fibro attack (or whatever is going on in my body these days!)....could barely walk!!! ugh!!!
* Read and studied two chapters for my Bible Study...Battlefield of the Mind.
* Swam a few laps.
* Watched American Graffitti with my sweet, car lovin' husband!
* Got my old lap top back, restored by my cousins SWEET husband!!!! Thank you Sam!!!!!
* Started a special project for a special bride-to-be (the one that I always thought was gonna be my daughter-in-law!) he he!!!
I am so thankful for weekends, for time to re-group and do the things I never have time for all week long.
I have been struggling with my health lately so it has been harder than usual. I feel so out of sorts. I also injured myself in a fall about 2 months ago and my toe still has not healed....I guess I need to go get it X-rayed. Life is full of up's and down's....I try my best to stay strong and positive no matter what stage of the game I am in. It is not always easy, nor am I always successful.....but I have learned that the key is to keep on believing. Believe that GOD IS IN CONTROL.....He knows all, sees all.....IS ALL!!!
I pray that if you are feeling overwhelmed, distraught, overcome, frustrated, depressed, that you will seek GOD and HIS help. Immerse yourself in the Word of God. That is the greatest tool we have. It is a sharp, two edged sword, but it does no good in it's sheath. You must use it. Write the Word on your heart, recite it often, the devil HAS to flee when the name of Jesus is uttered!
Some times all that can come out of my mouth is simply "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus"....and that is enough!!!!!
So, here's to a great week. The first week of AUGUST, can you believe that???
I pray you enjoy every precious moment, that you will find time for all the things that matter most to you!
Remember....our lives are the sum of the choices we make!!!!
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